Winter gifts for G’town
The Gift of the Givers in association with Makana Municipality and SAfm donated blankets, food and hygiene parcels to Ethembeni residents on Monday. The outreach is part of the Gift of the Givers annual programme. Emily Thomas, project manager, said the organisation thought it would be good to give during the Festival so that the poor did not feel left out. “We thought that we should bring something to the locals so that they can enjoy the Festival vibe.”
Ethembeni is one of the most impoverished informal settlements in Grahamstown. “We identified this area because it is an informal settlement and unemployment is rife here,” said Monica Mcuba, HIV/Aids and TB co-ordinator at Makana Municipality. According to her, 300 households will benefit from the outreach. “The households were given coupons to come and collect their parcels here today,” she said. Every house will have a share in the parcels.
It is the second time that Grahamstown has benefited from the programme. “Last year we also donated in another area,” said marketing manager of SAfm Kina Nhlengethwa. According to Mcuba, Joza, Zolani, Extension 7, and Tantyi are some of the areas that benefited last year.
“It is important that we roll out such programmes, especially the blankets in winter because many people are unemployed. It makes a lot of difference,” said Mcuba.
Some of the items contained in the parcels were rice, body moisturisers, sanitary pads, soup packets and others.
The programme will move to another area next year. “We have identified other areas that we'll go to next year but for now we'll focus on this one,” said Nhlengethwa.
Residents were thrilled to be beneficiaries of the parcels: “We are here to collect food. We are very poor and we thank the Gift of the Givers for the parcels.” said Linda Martin, a resident.
“Gift of the Givers and SAfm have given us toiletries and blankets. We are very grateful. Some of us are unemployed,” said Xolelwa Bashe, another beneficiary.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time. The blankets will help us cope with the winter chills,” said Malusi Rhalo.
Mcuba said she was happy to be a part of the programme. “I’m happy because I love com- munity work and it is always nice to know that you have made a difference in other people’s lives.”
According to Mcuba, Vukani is one of the other areas that was identified to receive the parcels. Two hundred and fifty parcels were expected to be handed to the area. “When we leave here, we are going to Vukani. We will take the parcels that will be left here and give to Vukani residents.”
Police were there keep an eye as the parcels were handed out.
Gift of the Givers is a disaster response non-government organisation that was established by Muhammed Saffer Effendi al Jerrahi in 1992.